ISRO set to launch record 20 satellites today

The Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) will create a new record of launching 20 satellites, including those from the US, Germany, Canada and Indonesia, on Wednesday from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C-34 (PSLV) will carry India’s latest earth observation Cartosat-2 Series satellite along with 19 co-passenger satellites including those made by Indian students and belonging to foreign vendors.

The 48-hour countdown activity for the launch started on Monday at 9.26 am and Isro said it is progressing smoothly.

The countdown began after the launch authorization board (LAB) gave its nod and filling of Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON-3) of PS4 was completed Monday.

The countdown exercise encompasses spacecraft health checks and preparations for propellant filling operation of second stage (PS2) of PSLV-C34 is in progress.

“Spacecraft health checks and preparations for propellant filling operation of second stage (PS2) of PSLV-C34 are under progress. Countdown is progressing normally,” Isro said.